Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-07-09
How We Celebrated.

Town In tDe SOUTHERN Ililis, eACep
Buffalo Gap, celebrating the Fourth O
July, which very naturally had the
effect of keeping many persons away
who would otherwise have been present
the celebration in Custer was very
decided success, exceeding by far any
| thing Of the kind ever before witnessed
in this city. While it cannot be said
that neighboring towns were largely
represented, the unusually large mum,
ber Of people present clearly indicated
that very large proportion of the peo
pie residing in this vicinity were par
ticipants in the enjoyments Of the oc
casion. The day opened bright and
beautiful as could have been desired
when the heavy report Of a hundred
guns announced TO the residents, many
of whom were yet soundly slumberinl
in their beds, that another anniversary
Of American Independence was being
ushered in upon us. Cnster's broad and
beautiful thoroughfares, rendered still
more delightful by the addition OF
hundreds of evergreen pines, and in
Vulnerable tri-colored emblems of liber-
ty, were soon thronged with people
representing in some degree every camp
within fifty miles of the city. Promptly
at 10 o'clock the grand procession, led
by the Custer City brass band formed
at the court house and under the direc-
tions Of Marshal's Porter and Garlock
marched through the principal streets,
and to the grand stand where at II
o'clock the president Of the day, S. NJ.
Booth, of this city delivered in very
impressive and creditable manner, the
opening address.
A. 7. Smith, Of this city, 10 whom had
been assigned the reading of the declara-
ton Of independence, declined to read
the lengthy document on account of the
general familiarity of the audience with
its lines, and happily substituted an
eloquent address upon "the fathers of
the Republic" which was well received
and heartily applauded.
At this juncture the band favored the
audience with a soul stirring air from
the grand stand which had tendency
to intensity the enthusiasm which was
everywhere manifest. A very appro-
pirate address by Rev. Fl. A. James of
the Methodist church of this city, fol-
lowed, which was listened to with
marked attention to the close.
+. II. Flynn of this city favored the
audience with "reminiscences of the
revolution" closing with most elo-
quent and touching apostrophe to the
American flag, which ELECTED the closest
attention, and heartiest applause.
Walter Schoonmaker, Of tins place,
then presented "Sheridan's Ride" in a
manner highly creditable to himself,
and eminently satisfactory and pleasing
10 the audience. Alfred Johson of this
place followed with an address appro-
pirate to the occasion, which was local
original and commendable.
Miss May Brennan, Of Hermosa, a
winsome young lady of l3 years, who
was formerly resident of this city
then favored the auditors with most
perfect rendition of "Independence
Bell, which was regarded by all as one
of the most pleasing and acceptable
features of the occasion.
Rev. William Jones, OF the Congrega-
tional church of this city, closed the
forenoon exercises with a mastery dis
course which, while was it not especially
devoted to patriotic sentiments, was
both scientific and amusing, and was ac-
cepted with marked demonstrations OF
favor.
The afternoon exercises were delayed
for an hour or two by a rain storm
which, for the time, was somewhat
discouraging to the managers of the
celebration, but being generally regard
ed as public blessing, but little COM
plant was heard. At 2 o'clock, not
withstanding the heavy rain which had
fallen, the streets were again in fair
condition, and the exercises were re-
sumsd.
Horse races, foot races, wheelbsrrow
and potato races, the archery tourna-
ment, balloon ascensions, and displays
of fire works followed in the regular
order, until $50 O'Clock, when the lovers
of the dance commenced assembling al
court house hall, preparatory to the en-.
joyment OF the terpsichorean exercises
arranged and conducted under the
auspices of the Masonic fraternity ol
this city.
Viewed in all its varied features, the
number of persons participating, the
magnifcence Of the city's decorations
the eloquence and commendable char
acter Of public addresses, and the varie-
| ty of amusing and entertaining exer.
cises, the day in Custer may be said to
have been crowned with the highest
degree Of success, surprising in interest
and enjoyable features all other places
in the Black Hills, with the possible
exception of Lead City, where the Fire
mems tournament drew largely from